E/CN.4/2002/94
page 22
persons, leading to the most degrading types of abuse and violence against migrants, and even in
many cases to death; and the growing phenomenon of refugees, internally displaced persons and
asylum-seekers.
83.
In her statement to the plenary session of the World Conference, the Special Rapporteur
acknowledged the efforts made by the World Conference in the struggle to eradicate racism,
xenophobia and discrimination against the migrant population throughout the world. Notable
among the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur was that the issue of migration
should be addressed jointly in the countries of origin, transit and destination, through the
implementation of migration control policies and actions which, without neglecting national
security or infringing on the sovereignty of each State in respect of the entry of individuals onto
its territory, would avoid violating fundamental human rights, permitting or fostering
discrimination or detracting from the dignity of migrants. This legislation should both prevent
and combat the smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons. At the same time, the Special
Rapporteur highlighted the importance of analysing the issue of migration not only from a legal
or economic viewpoint, but one embracing the human, psychological and social dimensions
which make up the context within which migration takes place, and the consequences this has
for the migrant, for his or her family and for the community in general.
84.
The Special Rapporteur urged States to follow up and pursue the issues endorsed during
the World Conference by including them in national and regional action programmes. The
paragraphs adopted in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action should form the
backbone of their efforts to address the phenomenon of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia
and related intolerance. The Special Rapporteur highlighted the key importance of strengthening
joint actions by Governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to
secure effective protection and promotion of the human rights of migrants.
E. Participation in conferences and meetings
85.
The Special Rapporteur participated in a variety of conferences and meetings in 2001,
including the annual meeting of special rapporteurs (18-22 June), the Madrid conference on
religious intolerance (23-25 November), the eighty-second session of the Council of IOM
(27-29 November) and the panel on refugees and migrants organized by UNHCR and the Office
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Human Rights Day
(10 December). She was also invited to attend the European Union ministerial meeting on
migration on 16 and 17 October. She took note of the efforts being made within the European
Union to harmonize migration policies, the huge task involved in standardizing approaches to
migration and the well-known concern of the members of the Union to combat smuggling of
migrants and illegal migration. She encourages the European Union and civil society
organizations to engage in a serious and thorough dialogue and exchange of experience on
migration and the protection of the human rights of migrants during the process of harmonizing
European policies. Her experience of other regional processes has demonstrated to her that
dialogue with civil society constitutes a sound practice which offers an opportunity to exchange
not only views and perspectives on the phenomenon of migration but also responsibilities, in a
search for consensus among all the sectors involved.